Sunset hikes

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Crabapple Lake 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 37 min of walking

2. Lambert Lake Nature Preserve & Lambert Lake 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:32 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:09 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:09 PM — 12 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

3. Ellynwood Nature Preserve & Illinois Prairie Path 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 165 min of walking

4. Round Meadow Lake–Eagle Lake, 3 lakes 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

5. Big Rock–Eagle Lake Loop, 5 sights 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 48 min of walking

6. Meadow Lake–Crabapple Lake, 4 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:13 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

7. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3+4 Loop, 3 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:17 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:23 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.6 mi to the viewpoint · 50 ft climb · 31 min of walking

8. Main Trail Loop 2–Main Trail Loop 3 Loop, 3 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:17 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

9. Rice Lake & Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset6:53 PM
   3. Head back7:08 PM
   4. At your car7:34 PM
   5. Dark7:21 PM

   Back at your car by 7:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 53 min of walking

10. Eagle Lake–Meadow Lake, 4 sights 0.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:24 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:16 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:16 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Sunfish Pond–Sterling Pond, 5 sights 1.6 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:15 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 13 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Arbor Lake–Sterling Pond, 5 lakes 2 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset6:53 PM
    3. Head back7:08 PM
    4. At your car7:15 PM
    5. Dark7:21 PM

    Back at your car by 7:15 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 13 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint